Pollution causes
Leather production has a history of 155 years in Simontornya, and has caused significant environmental pollution due to the improper management or disposal of sewage sludge, waste and fuels produced during various leather production phases. The soil and groundwater of the 35 hectare area became polluted, and the spread of pollution was also a danger to the Sió River.
The remediation project
The goal of the project is the remediation of the leather factory site: pre-treatment of accumulated hazardous and non-hazardous waste, on-site disposal or transport to another site, liquidation of pollution sources, removal of the polluted soil, groundwater purification, and finally, backfilling of clean soil. The successful implementation of the soil remediation programme will create opportunities for Simontornya town to invite and settle new companies on the restored area, which may host new brown field investment projects.
Special project features
It was necessary to set up a local pre-treatment facility in order to ensure the removal of the salted and bound rawhide pieces that were decaying underground.
Lorry traffic intensified very much during project implementation, and the removal and transport of the waste with its specifically unpleasant smell required close cooperation between the contractor and local residents.
Main project data
Demolition of polluted buildings, removal of demolition waste and handover to a licensed landfill: 17,500 tons.
Removal of process waste accumulated during leather factory operation and transport to a final disposal site:
- rawhide waste: 14,000 tons, including tannery sewage: 300 tons;
- leather clippings (scrap leather): 2,000 tons;
- mixed clippings, tanned leather, cuttings, fleshing waste: 28,000 tons;
- sewage sludge waste: 105,000 tons;
- removal and on-site disposal of polluted soil: 98,000 tons;
- backfilling the area with clean soil;
- implementation and operation of water treatment and monitoring system;
- application planning, licencing and implementation of waste management technology for waste requiring pre-treatment, and disposal of the waste produced.
Time period: from 2009 to 2014
Financing: Hungarian State support: 100%
Client: Nitrokémia Környezetvédelmi Zrt.
Total project value: approx. €38.7 million
Leather production has a history of 155 years in Simontornya, and has caused significant environmental pollution due to the improper management or disposal of sewage sludge, waste and fuels produced during various leather production phases. The soil and groundwater of the 35 hectare area became polluted, and the spread of pollution was also a danger to the Sió River.
The remediation project
The goal of the project is the remediation of the leather factory site: pre-treatment of accumulated hazardous and non-hazardous waste, on-site disposal or transport to another site, liquidation of pollution sources, removal of the polluted soil, groundwater purification, and finally, backfilling of clean soil. The successful implementation of the soil remediation programme will create opportunities for Simontornya town to invite and settle new companies on the restored area, which may host new brown field investment projects.
Special project features
It was necessary to set up a local pre-treatment facility in order to ensure the removal of the salted and bound rawhide pieces that were decaying underground.
Lorry traffic intensified very much during project implementation, and the removal and transport of the waste with its specifically unpleasant smell required close cooperation between the contractor and local residents.
Main project data
Demolition of polluted buildings, removal of demolition waste and handover to a licensed landfill: 17,500 tons.
Removal of process waste accumulated during leather factory operation and transport to a final disposal site:
- rawhide waste: 14,000 tons, including tannery sewage: 300 tons;
- leather clippings (scrap leather): 2,000 tons;
- mixed clippings, tanned leather, cuttings, fleshing waste: 28,000 tons;
- sewage sludge waste: 105,000 tons;
- removal and on-site disposal of polluted soil: 98,000 tons;
- backfilling the area with clean soil;
- implementation and operation of water treatment and monitoring system;
- application planning, licencing and implementation of waste management technology for waste requiring pre-treatment, and disposal of the waste produced.
Time period: from 2009 to 2014
Financing: Hungarian State support: 100%
Client: Nitrokémia Környezetvédelmi Zrt.
Total project value: approx. €38.7 million
